Switch-handle.



I @8 13 m5 C H'l'ornc-u G. E. ANDERSON.

SWITCH HANDLE.

APPLICATION FILED $1116.17, 1909.

946,369. Patented Jan. 11,1910.

6% CARL ANDERSON Y particularly to .handles for Switches, the object of my invention being to render the removal of the, handle from the t UNITED STAT CARL E. ANDERSON, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB. TC THE PERKINS ELECTRIC SWITCH lirIFG. COMPANY, OF BBIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORA- TION OF CONNECTICUT.

SWITCI-LHANDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Application filed August 17, 1909. Serial No. 513,304.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL E. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States of America, and residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have inventeda certain new and Improved Switch Handle, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switch handles, rotary snap switch spindle more diiiicult.

In theaccompanying drawings in which my invention is illustrated, Figure l is a vertical elevation, partly in section, showing a switch handle with parts-detached, in which iny invention is embodied in one form; Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, with parts assembled; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a switch handle in which my invention is embodied in another form; Fig. 5 is a vertical section thereof, parts assembled; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-6, Fig. 5; and Fig. 7 is a plan of awasher employed in the latter form.

It has been found that switch handles, such as that described in Goodridge 835,278, are frequently accidentally unscrewed from the switch stem by turningin the wrong direction, and that meddlesome or vandalous personsfind it easy to remove the handle and thus render the switch temporarily inoperative. Furthermore upon the removal of the handle the cover of the switch may be easily taken off and the switch parts thereby dangerously exposed.

To render the removal of the handle more ditiicult, I propose to insert a ratchet, or equivalent mechanism between the handle and the stem, so that when the handleis turned in. one direction the switch is operated, while when the handle is turned in' the opposite direction, it revolves freely upon the switch spindle without becoming detached therefrom. In the embodiment of this idea shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the body A of the handle which is preferably molded of suitable insulating material, is formed with a polygonal recess a extending from below up into the body. As shown. this recess is hexagonal in cross section. IVorlting in this recess is a plunger B with shoulder b, the upper face of which is toothed to serve as a ratchet member cooperating with the superposed independent ratchet meniberb The latter is formed of hexagonal section corre sponding to that of the recess a, so as to turn with the handle, while the lower member I) does not engage the sides of the recess. Through a perforation of the member 15 passes the spindle s at the head of the plunger, which not only centers the upper member 6 with relation to the lower member b but also serves as avguide for the ratchet spring S. The stem of theplunger is encireled'by a spiral spring M bearing at its upper end against the lower face of the ratchet member 6 and at its lower end against the retaining cup C which issecured in customary manner to the hub a surrounding the mouth of the recess a. The plunger is internally threaded as usual to receive the upper end of the switch spindle P.-'

It will be observed that when the handle is turned in one direction the switch spindle is rotated through the ratchet, while by reason of the latter, when the switch handle is turned in the opposite direction, not only s the switch spindle not affected, but neither is there any tendency to unscrew the handle. To accomplish the latter it is necessary to lift the handle body against the action of the spring M, until the plunger is so far ex posed that it may begrasped by a pair of pliers and then unscrewed by means of the same.

In the second form, illustrated in Figs. at to 7, the construction is the samein essential features, but here the upper portion w of the plunger is given a polygonal shape and a washer 3 with corresponding polygonal perforation 'is inserted beneath the spring M, so that when the handle body is lifted as described, the angled recess of the washer engages the angled portion of the plunger. Uponturning the handle while the parts are in this position, the plunger may be unscrewed from the switch spindle.

Patented Jan. ii, rate.

In this modification, the upper ratchet membeer 6 is made heavier and is recessed from above to form a seat for the ratchet spring S.

Obviously the construction may be variously modified to accomplish the same'purpose and I do not limit myself to the precise structure shown, but claim as my in vention 1. In a switch handle, means for securing said handle to a switch spindle and means interposed between the body of said handle vsaid handle to a switch spindle-and a ratchet interposed between the body of said handle and said securing means whereby said handle is free to rotate in one direction without affecting either said securing means or the switch spindle.

In a switch handle, means for securing said handle to a switch spindle and means interposed between the body of said handle and said securing means whereby said handle is free to rotate in one direction without affecting either said securing'means or the switch spindle, the body of said handle being displaceable axially to ail'ord means for freeing said handle from the switch spindle.

4; In a switch handle, means for securing said handle to a switch spindle and means interposed between the body of said handle and said securing means whereby said handle is free to rotate in one direction without afl'ecting either said securing means or the switch spindle, together with means, operative upon the axial displacement and rotation of the body of said handle, for freeing said handle from the switch spindle, v

In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL E. ANDERSON.

Witnesses: 1

G. IV. Goonmnen,

H. W. Goumonouen. 

